not fluent and jump right, held up last but intouch, steady headway going well 4 out, strong challenge and upside when jumped right last, not quicken flat
held up in touch, ridden and mistake 4 out, still close up 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, pushed along for 11th, blundered and weakened 4 out
pressed leader, mistake 3rd, mistake and reminder 8th, led 14th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
made most, headed 14th, weakened quickly 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, pecked last, driven out flat
held up in rear, mistake 10th, lost touch 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
A decent little handicap chase where Count Campioni should be too strong for his opponents, with Even More likely to emerge as his biggest threat and both Curtins Hill and Glanamana to go well. Count Campioni would have these for breakfast if this were over hurdles, and he still has a strong case over the bigger obstacles. Ideally he would prefer some cut in the ground, but he was rated as high as the 150s over timber and that sort of ability should stand him in good stead here. He jumps well, can be ridden anywhere in the race, and stays forever, so we take him to show his class. If things don't drop right then Even More can benefit. Robert Alner's gelding loves faster ground and this is his optimum trip. Although he doesn't possess the natural ability of the selection, he jumps well and there probably won't be too much between them. Curtins Hill has all the attributes to go close too, although he looks to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, while Glanamana could be the fly in the ointment if he can recapture his old form after a long absence but looks best watched this time. But Count Campioni has the class here and he can prevail.
